Abused Puppy that was stabbed-needs a home-"Kirby" is recovering nicely from surgery thanks to many BB's who helped!.

[Hunter_Rider]

One thing I noticed today. I had to put her in an empty CLEAN stall so I could bandage one of my horses legs, within 1 minute she felt like she was abandonned and was trying to dig her way out. I think this is what happened: We had a housing project that had fenced in yards, that was condemned in April. Many people had dogs, and it was a very drug ridden high crime area. When they forced the people to move, I think she was just turned out as a small pup, and in order to survive dug out, wandered the streets for several months, someone found her and abused her-probably the juvenile delinquents wandering the streets stabbed her and then I found her. She would not leave the area in which I found her. Animal Control tends to believe she lived as a small pup in the housing and that is why she would not leave... hoping her master would come back. So whoever takes her must understand what she has gone through, and take time with her. I don't think she is a candidate for a big farm setting unless she is supervised 24/7,and then when she is comfortable I think she could be turned loose... it may take several months and either on a leash or in a yard until the time is right. She is not 100% trusting of humans. but there is no growl or bite in her at all! Even in a yard she probably needs supervision or she may feel abandoned and try to dig out. From what I see, she is fine when I am in the back yard, but when I go inside, she starts on the fenceline looking for a way out. Fortunately she is young enough to re-train, but it will require that someone takes the time with her. She is very obedient in the house and is not hyper-active at all. When outside alone she is very nervous, that she is abandoned. Just to give you an update! I do not mean to be "picky" I just dont ever want to see her wandering the streets again!!

[Tiki]

Actually sounds like she would be best with at least on companion dog. If whoever gets her goes off to work she'll probably have to be kept in a crate or a kennel. If she can make friends with another dog she may be fine. Sounds like she and your other dogs are trying to play. Once she gets her stitches out see if she makes friends with them and once she does if she paces the fence or tries to get out. She may not.

Tranquility Farm
We don't have many, but the ones we have are nice

[Hunter_Rider]

You are right... I have my other 2 dogs in their crate so she can roam the house, she does not roam and chew like most pups, she is laying in my computer room sacked out along with the other 2. Very grown up for 5 months. It is just so sad she never had the "fun" of puppyhood that most pups enjoy. She just had to survive on her own for so long- so she had to grow up much quicker than others- she just needs time to trust again.

[monstrpony]

I think it's very perceptive of you to notice the fear-of-abandonment behavior. This will be an important factor in finding her an appropriate home, so that these issues don't get magnified and she doesn't get into trouble emotionally or by getting loose. None of us would consider you picky to have noticed this or brought it up in regards to who she goes to. It makes me feel better about the whole thing, knowing that these needs will be respected for her. Good for you!

___________
He's not really a pony, and I'm really not "pony aged" either.

[Tackpud]

Hunter_Rider - you are so right about the abandonment issues. My dog is the same way - she was obviously abused and abandoned and it took months to gain her trust that I would always return. She still doesn't like to be separated from me (after 7 years together) but she has stopped having anxiety attacks.

[Tiki]

My Dash (his full name is Dashleigh McLeash, but his friends call him Dash - named because he's always dashing about) came to me from the pound. I was his 4th owner at 5 months old. He is a bundle of muscle and energy in a fur suit. No one could handle him and they kept bringing him back to the pound. All he needed was a job to do. I took him to clicker agility classes. HOWEVER, I had a BIG problem taking him anywhere in the truck. He got so sick it wasn't even funny. He would almost literally puke his brains out. The instructors at the agility training told me it was motion sickness, but I didn't think so. I figured he was scared to death of being dropped off again. He absolutely loved it at my house. He had the run of 4 fenced acres and 3 other dogs to play with. I was right - after about 4-5 weeks of going to class, having fun at class with me, AND getting to come home again, the 'car sickness' stopped. Notice I'm up to 4 dogs now.

Then one day I took him to the pound with me. Oh Lord!!! I was going to pick out a new pound puppy to take home and I wanted to make sure Dash got along with him since he is so incredibly powerful and a bit rough in his play. He knew exactly where he was and he started shaking uncontrollably. He was absolutely glued to my leg. When he finally realized he was there to test and play with puppies he completely relaxed. He hated the first dog! The second one I liked was a Golden/Flat Coated Retreiver cross - a beautiful, mild mannered, black put with gold highlights. Dash loved him. We kept both dogs on leashes to see how they would do. They were so good together we let them both off leash. Dash ran all over the place playing with the puppy and the pup kept up with him. Dash brought him back to me and told me this was the one.

Dash is an extremely powerful and fit dog at about 75 pounds. With all his socialization at the pound (3 times) and in agility class, he is very mild mannered when he meets new dogs and people, but if anyone ever tried to hurt me I think he'd take them apart.

Hunter_Rider you may have a new pup. He sounds like he is adapting very well to you and your 2 Malinois. He may be very hard to rehome! I know you probably never thought you'd want 3 dogs, but I have somehow now wound up with 7 and I started with 2. The last ones I adopted are a brother and sister. Everyone thought they were adorable but didn't want 2 and didn't want to break them up. They were getting to the point where they were not adoptable. I just couldn't resist those little pound puppy eyes! Now I have 7 and the 2 new ones are absolutely adorable.

Tranquility Farm
We don't have many, but the ones we have are nice

[Hunter_Rider]

Well I found some interesting things out today. I went to the animal shelter to finalize all the paperwork on Kirby. The lady who helped me said she thinks she definately is yellow lab crossed with possibly a Spitz, because she has very thick tail hair, and is white with some "yellow" on her- very interesting-anyway she was looking at the Vets original estimate which was $1148- for everything. The surgery alone for just closing up the chest was $300, but that did not include the anesthesia, all her shots, heartworm check, electronic monitoring, spaying. antibiotics, pain killer etc. etc... She was very shocked when I told her it was $574. She said that was a very good deal they gave me. Had I been told $1148 I think I would have just rolled over and died. I took Rambo 2 years ago when he was having heart problems to emergency and my bills, just to stabalize him for 24 hours, and figure out was was wrong- before I had to put him down, was $1000. So I guess he did give me a break. She is a trooper, she has stitches in her chest, stitches in her belly for the spaying, and never complains- She is very much over the e-collar, 3 more days!!! Thanks again for everyones support- will get more pics with e-collar off soon! Mary

[This message was edited by Hunter_Rider on Sep. 02, 2003 at 10:29 PM.]

[SED]

Make sure that vet knows how much everyone on this Board appreciates their generosity on the "deal" they gave you. If you are happy with the service, post their name on this Board! Maybe other Virginians will consider using them.

[Tiki]

Can't wait to see pics when she gets her stitches out and YES, please thank that wonderful vet from all of us!

Tranquility Farm
We don't have many, but the ones we have are nice

[AllWeatherGal]

Cookies for the vet and staff!

that's so wonderful ... it would be really terrific to name the vet if COTH does an article on your story.

I'm all teary-eyed about this fantastic situation.

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TB Logo 4 All
http://www.webdiva4hire.com/ottb/index.html

[fivecats]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>She is having surgery at Brentwood Veterinary Clinic in Chesapeake, VA. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This was from Hunter-Rider's post on Aug 26th. I haven't checked yet to see if they have a website. If so, maybe we can all send them thank you email.

[Hunter_Rider]

Hello!!! I do not think they have a website, but I will relate the information and will post their address on Friday, and I do plan on giving them something nice for all their help&gt; They are our primary Veterinarian for our K9 dogs, and I have dealt with them for a long time. Kirby is still doing great- very playful and is waiting to get that darn e-collar off!! She has picked up a lot of weight and is no longer "boney" she is walking around 24/7 with the tail wagging. I bought her chew toys which has taken her some time to figure out, but enjoys them tremendously. She is definately housebroken and can hold her urine for 12 hours, which is unusual for a pup. I have to clean her wound 2 times a day, and just stands like a statue while I clean it, and I know it must be painful- it is painful for me to try to clean it!! She just knows I am trying to help and does not resist. Again I want to thank everyone who made this possible, 1 more day and hopefully the sutures can come out Friday morning.

[LoriO]

Yeah for Kirby!!!!!! Sounds like she is making herself quite at home there. Definately post the address for the vet so we can innundate them with thankyou notes!

"Member of the Western clique"

All gave some...And some gave all...God bless the USA

[Adelita]

Yay!!!!!!!! I love that little dog.

so are you keeping her????? (I would!)

&gt;^.,.^&lt;


"I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."

[Tiki]

I know you were trying to find a home for her, but the conditions have changed. It may be kind of traumatic for her to move now. I think she'll get along just fine with your Malinois and she obviously loves and trusts you now. As to guesses for where the white in her coat comes from to mix with the Lab..... American Spitz (but that often gives a tail curled up over the back and more upright ears) Samoyed (same thing) maybe Great Pyrenees. From the shape of her head and the fact that you said she has a thickish tail, that might be it.

Tranquility Farm
We don't have many, but the ones we have are nice

[Adelita]

So, are you keeping her???



You have to: she knows you as mom and trusts you amazingly, it would be a setback I think if she lost you.....

way to rationalize, right?

&gt;^.,.^&lt;


"I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."

[Portia]

Is she getting her stitches out today? How's she doing?

~~~~~~~~~~~~
COTH Forums, A Fair and Balanced Look at the Left and Right of Horses.

[Janet]

Portia et al
The latest update is here-
Kirby Update

Janet
chief feeder and mucker for Music, Spy, Belle, and Brain

[Portia]

Thanks Janet. I didn't look at the thread and it wasn't clicking with me that it was THIS Kirby. It's been a long, long week.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
COTH Forums, A Fair and Balanced Look at the Left and Right of Horses.

[Hunter_Rider]

Hey I posted pics on the other Kirby thread!! but here they are for those who missed them!